The Widow’s Trust (Mite)

Recently, I talked with two very grateful women who told me of how God had provided for them. Both are widows. Both have been living on limited means, more especially since their deceased husbands no longer can provide the two incomes most families need in today’s world.

Both women share something in common. They have been careful with their resources, and they both are generous to a fault with their families and others around them. Covered dished have found their way out the door for a lonely neighbor, an elderly couple, as little “I’m thinking about you” treats for the recuperating, calls to check up on shut-ins and the low in spirit. They have loved well, and have trusted in the Lord to meet their needs. They put me in mind of a woman Jesus was watching outside the temple:

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44) A particular commentary I read thinks this example was more about a warning to the leaders of the day who were cheating widows, than about a lesson on giving. It says, “Scripture repeatedly reveals God’s care for the widow, the poor, the fatherless and the stranger, and also reveals His anger at those who deprive them of what they need to live…given in context of Jesus’ condemnation of the religious leaders.”

My personal opinion is that, for whatever reason the widow gladly gave all she had, she trusted in God to not let her down, to provide for her. She saw her security was in Him. Reminds me of the two women I mentioned earlier. Both said essentially the same thing, “I didn’t worry about doing too much for others, I knew I would be okay,” when chastised about being too generous.

One woman had a friend pay her property taxes for her, her family gave money at the funeral instead of flowers, giving her enough to pay some obligations, and now she thinks she will no longer have to work a physically demanding job at age 75. The other woman told of how a friend set up a raffle for her to pay for dental work with some rifles her husband left her. And was offered a job as caregiver, in essence doing the same things she has always been known for. The greatest emotion I heard: gratitude and joy.

Now that’s living life on the edge. How wealthy are both women! They live by faith.